Welcome distinguished guests and fellow Toastmasters! District 50 thrives because of the passion and commitment of its leaders—individuals who devote countless hours to mentoring, strategizing, and empowering others to find their voice. Whether through educational excellence, membership growth, public relations initiatives - these outstanding officers have left an indelible mark on our Toastmasters community. Today, we gather to celebrate excellence, leadership, and dedication as we induct District 50’s finest officers into the prestigious *Hall of Fame*. This special recognition honors those who have gone above and beyond in their service, inspiring members, strengthening clubs, and driving our district toward success. Each winner (and even their fellow nominees) has exemplified the Toastmasters mission, and have positively impacted their clubs through communication and leadership. Today , we honor them with gratitude and pride.

Sergey is a seasoned software engineer with over a decade of experience in the tech industry and currently serves as a Software Engineering Lead at one of the largest community banks in Texas. He's passionate about using technology to solve real world problems - like organizing better meetings and making sure people don't have to say "uh" while assigning roles. 

Outside of work and Toastmasters, Sergey is a proud dad of two energetic kids and enjoys peaceful walks in nature -mainly because squirrels never ask, "Are we there yet?"

Nadya Nemova-Tatsch s a wellness empowerment speaker, certified life, health, nutrition coach, personal fitness trainer, and author of "My Power Journal." Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, Nadya has been empowering individuals in wellness since age 17. Her "The Wellness Vortex" habit change model focuses on upgrading 20 non-negotiable healthy habits (in mindset, nutrition, and fitness) to master a wellness lifestyle for clarity, energy, and power. 

Recognized as a top 15 coach in Dallas (Influence Digest) and a top 25 woman in business in the US and Canada (Alignable). Join her free wellness club to learn more at www.coachingbynadya.com.

Nadya is facilitating one of our Growth Bursts (Pop-Up Session) - The “Sprint” Technique": Cultivating Focus for Growth.  

Dr. Walter Lewis Price, known as “The Encourager,” is a nationally acclaimed speaker, certified trainer, and personal development coach. A three-time Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), Dr. Price has delivered speeches, facilitated workshops, and trained over one million people across the country. As founder of Priceless Education, LLC, he works with executives, educators, students, and Fortune 500 organizations to promote personal and professional growth.

With more than 25 years of experience teaching communication at the college and university level, Dr. Price has served as a consultant and trainer for prestigious institutions including Harvard University, the Texas Attorney General’s Office, Dallas ISD, and the Texas Education Agency. He holds advanced certifications in mediation, arbitration, and negotiation, and has led leadership development programs at The University of Texas at Arlington.

Currently, Dr. Price is Chairman of the Division of Business and Professor of Business and Speech at Southwestern Christian College. He is widely recognized for his expertise in innovation, leadership, organizational change, diversity, and conflict resolution.

His professional affiliations span organizations such as Toastmasters International, the National Speakers Association, and the Society for Human Resource Management.

Elizabeth is dynamic, high energy Executive Business Coach, Corporate Trainer, and Keynote Speaker focused on helping people realize their full potential. She is an expert in thought transformation and believes that right thinking is the foundation for success in life and business. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Masters degree from the University of South Florida. She spent 19 years in the direct sales industry while partnering with her husband to build their photography business – Fredshots. She is a TED speaker; active Youtuber; and her Podcast, “Thinking That Matters” reaches thousands.

Elizabeth is an Executive Business Coach, Corporate Trainer, and Keynote Speaker that is committed to being a practitioner of what she teaches. She brings real life experience to the stage.

She has authored four books and one of her newest, Pick Your Path: 21 Days to Set Your Mental Autopilot on the Right Course is an international bestseller.  Elizabeth married her high school sweetheart, Fred and together, they have two grown sons.

Norman Lum Hee brings valuable expertise to Dallas College as an HR Learning and Development Partner, where he excels in creating engaging learning experiences to meet the needs of internal stakeholders.  

In Toastmasters, Norman has demonstrated exceptional leadership as the current President of Richardson Icebreakers. His dedication to our organization extends to his service as Area Director for Area 32 and VP of Public Relations for PMI Dallas Toastmasters.

Norman's professional credentials include certification as a Prosci Advanced Change Practitioner, SAFe 6 Agilist, and Scrum Product Owner—reflecting his commitment to continuous growth and excellence.

Norman is excited about chairing the Distinguished Toastmaster ceremony. 

Monnica Rose joined Toastmasters in February 2006 to improve her communication and leadership skills. Can you believe she was once shy? After attending a Toastmasters event outside of her club, Monnica was hooked on all the exciting opportunities the program had to offer.

Now, Monnica doesn’t meet a stranger. As a retired mechanical engineer, Board President for Women of Visionary Influence, and Toastmasters Past International Director, she has dedicated herself to mentoring, motivating, and encouraging others to achieve their communication and leadership goals. She believes in the power of guidance and support, helping individuals unlock their potential and grow into confident speakers and leaders.

From her experiences, Monnica states, “Those who fully embrace all that the Toastmasters program has to offer will truly have a life-changing experience.”

When she isn’t running half marathons, you can find Monnica cheering for her favorite NFL football team, solving Sudoku puzzles, or reading the latest book on leadership.

From the young age of five, Alexander Kirton demonstrated an extraordinary musical gift—playing by ear alongside seasoned organists and beginning formal classical piano lessons. By his teenage years, he was already sharing his passion through teaching. Music has always been his lifelong passion and unique superpower.

Alexander holds an Associate Degree in Piano Performance from the State University of New York–Nassau, a Bachelor's Degree in Music, and a Master's Degree in Music Education from Hofstra University. 

With over 25 years of experience teaching music in public schools across New York and Texas, Alexander has inspired tens of thousands of students from kindergarten through 12th grade. His dedication to education has earned him the prestigious New York State PTA Honorary Life Member Award.

A consummate performer, Alexander is celebrated for his command of the piano and his fluency across multiple musical genres including Classical, Jazz, Gospel, R&B, and Pop. He has performed for civic leaders, in concert venues, on studio recordings, as an accompanist for district choirs, and as a music director for theater productions and churches. His exceptional ability to both read music and play by ear underscores his versatility and musicianship.

Alexander is the founder and owner of the Kirton School of Music, offering individual and group instruction in voice and piano. In addition to his work in music education, he serves as Vice President of Kirton Consulting Group, delivering ERP software solutions to businesses ranging from small startups to large enterprises. He is also the current music director for Christ the Servant Lutheran Church and Journey of Faith Christian Fellowship.

Alexander has been married to his wife Keyla for 22 years. Together, they have two children: Ally, a junior at the University of North Texas, and Matthew, a sophomore at the IB World School at Plano East Senior High School.

Denise Castille is a passionate educator, speaker, and CPR training expert with over 20 years of experience empowering youth and adults to make confident, life-saving decisions. She is the founder of Any Day CPR Training and the nonprofit Fresh Start for Your Heart, where she equips communities with the tools to be ready, resilient, and heart-healthy.

A heart attack survivor herself, Denise uses her journey to inspire others to lead with purpose and power. She is the best-selling author of I Don’t Want to Die Like This: A Survivor’s Guide to Thriving After a Heart Attack and the upcoming children’s book Heart’s Happy Adventure, which teaches young readers about heart health in an engaging and relatable way.

Denise is the current Program Quality Director for District 50 Toastmasters and has been a proud Toastmaster since 2019. Her mission is to help people of all ages recognize that even small, everyday choices can shape a stronger, more purposeful future.

Distinguished Toastmaster and Past District 50 Director, Monica Dirden has been a Toastmaster for over 10 years and is a highly decorated public speaker. She has won the District 50 International Speech Contest twice and was a Toastmasters International Semifinalist 3rd place in 2015.

She has been a member of several clubs in many districts. 

What sets Monica apart is her unwavering passion for helping people. For her, speaking and leading is not just a hobby or profession, it is her life's work. She believes that anyone can develop the skills to become a great leader and she has dedicated her life to helping others do just that.

Monica has served in various leadership roles in Toastmasters, including Club Growth Director, Program Quality Director, and District Director for District 50. Her extensive experience, knowledge, passion for public speaking, and leadership skills make her an invaluable addition to speaking on 'The Emotionally Intelligent Leader.'

Dr. Gaurav Shekhar is a 6-time Distinguished Toastmaster and a Past District Director of District 50. He is the Senior Assistant Dean of the Graduate Programs at the Naveen Jindal School of Management, UT Dallas. He is an Assistant Professor of Instruction at UTD. He was inducted into ‘Dallas 500’ by the DCEO Magazine for 2024. He is a two-time TEDx speaker and was named as the 40 Under 40 by the Dallas Business Journal in 2023.

He has been instrumental in setting up student and corporate engagement programs at The University of Texas at Dallas. He is one big believer in Servant Leadership which is the base of most of his initiatives. He works with Fortune 500 CXOs and advises them on their strategic initiatives, especially from the point of view of Technology.

He has been a member of Toastmasters since 2013 and is a recipient of the Presidential Citation, one of the highest awards a member can receive in Toastmasters

Currently PMI Dallas Toastmasters President, Joan Bradee has been a Toastmaster for over 2 years. Joan is a dedicated Program Management leader who finds her greatest fulfillment in developing others and nurturing their leadership potential. With a natural talent for mentorship, she transforms teams by identifying individual strengths and creating growth opportunities that allow people to excel beyond their perceived limitations. Her passion for improving both people and processes drives her approach to revitalizing underperforming initiatives, where she implements systems that not only enhance efficiency but also empower team members to take ownership and develop new skills.

Her distinctive leadership philosophy centers on the belief that organizational transformation begins with personal transformation, making her an invaluable resource for companies seeking not just improved outcomes, but also the development of internal talent who can sustain excellence long after her initiatives are complete. Throughout her career at industry leaders such as Sabre, Southwest Airlines, Vizio, and BCBS, Joan has built effective training programs and mentors her teams to help them grow and succeed.

Toastmaster Ed Level: Joan has been a member of PMI Dallas Toastmasters for almost 3 years and has served as President and VP of Education. She is currently the President of PMI Dallas Toastmasters.

Elizabeth Ellis grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee and Kentucky. Her grandfather and aunt told both traditional stories and tales of their own creation. Her uncles were big raconteurs, and every get together was a contest to see who could top the others. After graduating from Milligan College and receiving a master’s degree from East Tennessee State University, Elizabeth migrated to Texas to work for the Dallas Public Library. In 1979 she began work as a professional teller with her old friend Gayle Ross. The duo was called The Twelve Moon Storytellers. 

It was hard to make enough money to support two households. Elizabeth had children, and Gayle had a horse, and they all needed shoes. So, Gayle and Elizabeth began their careers as solo tellers.

“The Divine Miss E” is a versatile and riveting teller of Appalachian and Texas tales and stories of heroic American women, though her personal stories are arguably her best. Invariably hilarious, poignant and thought provoking, she spent the pandemic telling stories of hope and courage on Zoom to those folks who were confined to their homes. When the pandemic ended folks wanted the stories to continue so Elizabeth produces a concert series on Zoom each month. The Tejas Storytelling Association has recognized her work with the John Henry Faulk Award, given for significant contribution to storytelling in their region. The National Storytelling Network has honored her with both the Circle of Excellence and Lifetime Achievement Awards in recognition of her artistry and service.

A pioneer of telling truthful and artful personal stories, Elizabeth is the co-author with Loren Niemi of the award-winning book Inviting the Wolf In: Thinking About Difficult Stories. Her second book, From Plot to Narrative, received a Storytelling World award. It is a handbook for developing more effective stories and has been used as a textbook in university storytelling courses. Her newest offering is titled Prepare to Scare from Parkhurst Brothers Publishers. It will be helpful to anyone looking to become a more effective teller of scary stories. 

Elizabeth recently became a great grandmother. Beware, she has photos and is not afraid to use them. She lives in Dallas, Texas because everybody has to live somewhere, but she dreams of Appalachia every night.

Alana Newman co-founded the branding agency roses/foundation with her husband Michael Darius, an Apple design veteran and protege of Steve Jobs. Alana studied Advertising at the nation's largest art school in San Francisco, CA and has spent the last 18 years balancing raising three children and using the latest in digital design tools to build campaigns for various purpose-driven content including five documentary films, think tanks, conferences, and podcasts. She is the host of The Speaker Salon podcast.

Janet Bernstein is a nine-time published author, keynote speaker, and corporate trainer with over 25 years of experience in sales management, leadership development, and business coaching. Known for her no-nonsense approach and powerful presence, Janet inspires professionals to lead with confidence and communicate with impact. She currently serves as the President of the American Business Women’s Association Charisma Charter Chapter and travels nationally as a Corporate Trainer for CertainPath, helping contractors build stronger teams and improve communication. Janet is widely recognized for her engaging talks on body language, teaching speakers and leaders how to convey credibility, clarity, and confidence—before saying a word. A survivor of great adversity, Janet uses her personal journey of resilience and reinvention to inspire others to become the best version of themselves. Whether on stage or in a workshop, Janet delivers with authenticity, heart, and a clear message: you are made for more.

Mark Liberio is the Owner of Tetra Media Group, a video production company located in Dallas/Fort/Worth.  Mark worked for two decades in the restaurant industry, specifically, Ponderosa, Bonanza, Steak & Ale and Bennigan’s, producing training and communication videos and providing video support for Franchisee and General Manager conferences. 

For the last 18 years, Mark’s company, Tetra Media Group, has worked with businesses in a wide range of industries, helping them market their services, train their employees and support their events with video. His client list includes Siemens, FedEx Express, Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), Thought-Leader Talks, Plano Chamber of Commerce and Dallas International School.

Mark has been a member of Allen Toastmasters for over 20 years and have served at every executive committee position except for Sergeant-at-Arms and VP/PR. He is currently the Treasurer of Allen Toastmasters.

Pathways Level - VC2

Shane has a passion for people and desires to see individuals grow to their fullest potential. Shane always works to foster a growth environment where others can find their own brilliance.

Shane joined Toastmasters in 2018. His home club is the Divine Nine Family and Friends Toastmasters, but he has been a member of various other clubs. He has also been president of multiple clubs and served as Area Director for two years in a row.

Shane is a Federal Government employee but is also involved in numerous community organizations. An East Coast native, Shane now resides in Frisco, Texas, with his wife and has four adult children.